
Hello everyone!! It has been a very very long week. I am so glad that today is Friday. Wyatt and I have no real plans except a little school. I try to keep Fridays open for field trips, library trips, reading, and art. Fridays are the best. Plus we have pizza every Friday as well so I don’t need to plan and make dinner!
So, this week was a bit crazy. Some of it fun, some of it was not as fun. Let’s start with a fun day, Tuesday.
Tuesday I woke up and the sun was shining and I wanted Wyatt and I to get outside somehow. My friend Sarah has the most magical yard, and I had the idea a few weeks ago of Wyatt using it as a small ecosystem study for the spring and fall. We will miss summer in person due to his surgery, but Sarah is going to send videos for him. Anyway, we had been trying to get the day together but it kept raining on us! Tuesday morning I texted and was like, it is sunny, are you busy? And she texted me back to come on over! (and also that us winter people are crazy because it was pretty darn cold!) So big thanks to her for having us cuckoo winter folk over on a chilly sunny morning when she is a high summer type person.
Can I just say, she was so accommodating to my boy. So concerned and thoughtful about his wheelchair and maneuvering her yard, and wanting to show him things. She even had a fire lit for us to sit around. It was a very lovely start to our day.







The fish were awake and swimming, and very greedy to be fed. She told us to come back and feed them some worms so we are looking forward to that. (well, not really me. Wyatt) We had coffee and we caught up with each other and we talked with Wyatt about all the signs of early spring. About the life we could see emerging, and about what was coming. There were signs of life everywhere. Flowers pushing through the cold ground, birds feeding at her numerous bird feeders, seeds germinating in the earth in her greenhouse, the fish in the pond, and knowing that soon there will frogs and toads lining the rocks that ring the pond. She told us stories of raccoons on roofs, swimming in the pond, the possums that come and hang out in her garage. It was a great time and I am so thankful she is sharing some of that magic with Wyatt.
Later that night, I met up with my friend’s at Kelly’s house. It was the first time the four of us had all been together at once since the holidays and it was so nice to hang out!! I also took Lisa’s book with me and we all fun trying to find different spots to take its picture around the house for my Instagram post.







If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I went with the last photo for my post. Which one would you have chosen? I am curious!
Then we started our gauntlet of appointments. Wyatt had three appointments this week in two days. It was rough, especially on him. The first appointment was at 7:30 am on Wednesday, where we learned that Wyatt is not having just one hip done in July, but both. To say that I have been struggling with this since getting the news has been an understatement. I am terrified everyone. This is my baby. But his PMR doctor, who we have known since he was a baby, told us that if he is going to end up having the other one done eventually, it is better to do it at the same time rather than separately for a few different reasons. It doesn’t necessarily make it easier emotionally or physically for Wyatt though while he is going through it. We sat there listening while wind and rain were whipping against the windows, wishing she was telling us different news. It was like the weather was reacting to it as well. Angry and upset and full of grief that it has to happen.
We headed home where we had more coffee (me) and toast (Wyatt) then waited for his therapy appointment a few hours later. The weather was a bit nicer when we went there, and he had a good visit.
Our last appointment was yesterday morning, when Wyatt had to go to the orthotist to get fitted for his braces. His regular orthotist is semi-retired and is training a new person. However, this appointment was going to be tricky with Wyatt’s hip pain. George, his regular orthotist, and the trainee were concerned because Wyatt’s muscles were pretty tight and they had to maniuplate him into leg positions that were painful. George told me that if they couldn’t get a good cast in the office yesterday, they would have to do it as a home visit with sedatives. It was pretty tense, and I even had a job, to hold Wyatt’s thigh in a straight position up off the wheelchair, while pushing down on his knee at the same time with my other hand. I could tell he was uncomfortable and in some pain, but I distracted him with stories and trying to make him laugh, and he toughed it out. (If you have read Watership Down, I felt a little like Bluebell to Wyatt’s Capt. Holly) But my kid was a trooper. He got the job done and even was giggling at times. George came in after and told Wyatt how proud he was of him, that he couldn’t believe he had even heard Wyatt laughing when he had been afraid he was going to hear crying. I hate that Wyatt has to be tough, but he really is. When he was in the NICU, we had a sign made that said Team Tough Cookie and that is really Wyatt.
After that appointment, I could literally feel my whole body relax and I was exhausted from the crazy week of emotions and running. Wyatt was tired too, and after a quick stop at Barnes and Noble, where he got a book about otters and I got a set of two new blank books, we headed home where it looked like Wyatt was about to just pass out in the car. When we got home I popped him into my bed, where he conked out hard and I vegged out.
Then we had to get ready for Mermaid Girl! She came over last night for Mexican food and crafts, and we had such a good time with her. She is so full of energy and light, and bounces all over house, telling us story after story. We love having her here. I had also made chocolate chip cookies for dessert and they were delicious! My brother, SIL, and little Hurricane came over to pick her up and hung out for a while which was nice too. And they ate a bunch of cookies which is awesome because that recipe made like 500.

And that leads us to this morning. I am going to have another cup of coffee, hopefully have a pretty easy day.

Just me hanging in there!
I hope that whatever you guys do today, that you do something that makes you smile!
You have amazing friends, Erin! But, that’s no surprise as you are one amazing person, too! I’m glad Wyatt was able to see Spring springing even if it was cold.
I’m so sorry he has to go through this as well as you and Billy. Hopefully, having both done at one time will make huge changes for him. He really is a tough cookie…do you have that book? It’s hilarious! I think it’s one I donated to another teacher.
Those cookies look delicious and would be gone in no time here!
Sending you hugs, prayers, and all the positive energy I can!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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Aw thank you Marsha!!! I was glad that he could go too. I am excited because Sarah said that in a few weeks we will see a huge difference in the yard!
I am beside myself. I feel both blessed that we have all this time before the surgery, because we can prepare in many ways for it. But it is also a lot of time for me to just worry! I am trying to keep my eye on the prize here, that it will be good for Wyatt in the long run.
They were actually really good! My baking can be hit or miss and these were a hit!
And thank you Marsha. I appreciate the prayers and good vibes!
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Wyatt is so brave! And so are you, Momma ❤ My heart hurts for y’all during this time, and I’m sending prayers and vibes and cheering you on from NC.
Also, I want to go hang out in your friend Sarah’s yard! That place totally looks magical.
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He is a tough little guy. I hate that he has to be so tough though. 😦 And thank you Rebecca. I appreciate the prayers!!
It will be amazing in a few weeks!
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Two hips? And braces? Wow — that kid is a trooper and boy, you sure didn’t need to hear that. I can only imagine the emotional rollercoaster for you and Billy. Sending all good thoughts for these next months. And what a great set-up Sarah did for you. I’m glad you could experience that now. Hope your weekend is a lovely one.
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I am struggling with this, big time. My poor baby. He is definitely a trooper, although I wish he didn’t have to be. And thank you Jeanie.
Sarah is very kind hearted and I was so glad she is going to share her yard with us. We will go back soon and see the difference a few weeks makes!
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Wow that is quite the backyard! What a neat morning of science exploration. I am sorry to hear about the double hip surgery! I am sure that was so hard to hear. Somehow I just know your courageous boy is going to get through this with flying colors with the wonderful support system you all have put in place around him.
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She just has so much life back there! I am looking forward to seeing it once spring has sprung back there, and all the plants are thriving and the animals are there.
And oh yes. It was a such a shock to hear. I am heartbroken about this . And terrified! And thank you Joanne. 🙂 I am trying to keep my mind focused on the positive!
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I am so glad you were able to see Sarah’s yard and fish, etc. What a fun treat for Wyatt. Those cookies look just amazing!! I love you have that special time with Mermaid Girl! Yes, I know I’ve said this before but it’s okay to say more than once. 🙂
That news about Wyatt is so hard. I am so glad you have such a great team of doctors working with you and who can walk with you every step of the way. I pray this really helps him as he grows and helps take away the pain he’s been in.
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It was such a good time at Sarah’s. I am looking forward to returning! And we love our Mermaid Girl. She is such a bright light. And the cookies are so good! My baking can be hit or miss and this was a hit. Lol.
Thank you Lisa. I am freaking out as you know. Thank you for all the prayers.
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First, I’m so sorry that it was such a rough week for you and Wyatt, and that you had such difficult news. I suspect getting them both over with might be better in the long run as then it’s not going through the whole thing again…. but man, that sounds intimidating and scary. I’m sorry you had more bad news. I’m glad you both made it through the orthotist appointment, though, and super proud of Wyatt’s giggles! What a wonderful kiddo! I very much hope you’ve both had some time to relax after all of that!
I love your idea of a little ecosystem project in your neighbour’s garden. There’s so much to find, even in a small area of nature!
Here’s hoping next week is a better one!
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It was not what we wanted to hear at all!! However, it does make sense to maybe just get it all over and done with. My poor kiddo though.
We had a very good weekend. We went to the museum and then later in the evening painted, and then Sunday Wyatt had his last day of bowling. It was a good time. 🙂
Thank you! I feel like it is sort of like a small little capsule of nature, and I love that it is easy to explore and watch!
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That sounds like a lovely weekend! I sent you a rather rambling message through your blog contact form, hopefully it went through! Didn’t want to take over your comments! 🙂
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Oh I look forward to reading it! I check my email in the morning while Wyatt is occupied lol. I can concentrate better that way. 😊
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Makes perfect sense – plus it’s nice to start off the day with the possibility of fun things in there!
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